Plan for approach canal to divert Godavari water at Medigadda

 Telangana | Written by : Suryaa Desk Updated: Wed, Apr 12, 2017, 09:05 AM

HYDERABAD : Even though the proposed Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project has not secured a single permission so far, the TRS government is planning to boast of at least partial results to farmers before the next elections which is due in 2019.


According to officials, TRS is thinking on these lines: “If water flows to agricultural fields in parched areas, the TRS will be inundated with votes.”


Thus, it is in a hurry to show farmers at least a partial benefit of the Kaleshwaram project by 2018 Kharif season well before the 2019 elections.


But how to provide water in just one year’s time is rankling the best brains in the government. Highly placed sources in the irrigation department told Express that they would dig an approach channel of a length of 10 km to 12 km from Medigadda and divert the water using two highly powerful motors.


“Even if construction of Medigadda barrage, which has been proposed as part of the project, is delayed, we will dig the approach channel and divert the water,” an engineering official said.


“We will divert water through the proposed approach channel and fill up about 300 to 400 minor irrigation tanks in Karimnagar and Warangal districts from which farmers can raise crops,” sources said.


“We have placed an order for two powerful motors with a manufacturing company in Austria. Since the motors form part of the Kaleshwaram project, there will be no additional cost involved for the temporary arrangements. The additional cost required will be on digging the channel,” sources explained.


“We will supply water to the Kaleshwaram ayacut partially at any cost in the 2018 Kharif season. We are progressing towards that goal,” an official averred. 


Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is monitoring the progress of the construction of Kaleshwaram and other major irrigation projects by watching live telecast from the work sites everyday through a dashboard.


Meanwhile, the irrigation department expedited the works on linking Yellampalli with Mid Manair. If the upstream of Godvari receives flood, the water will be diverted to the Kaleshwaram ayacut to some extent.